The Lippert ABS, tested exhaustedly over multiple grueling scenarios, combines the technologies of Lippert’s time-tested trailer axles with cutting-edge connected RV systems, delivering a comprehensive safety mechanism for all trailer types, particularly travel trailers, fifth wheels and cargo and equestrian trailers.

This integrated system works with the trailer’s brakes to prevent wheel lock-up and enhance control over the vehicle-trailer combination, particularly in slippery or abrupt braking situations. When the driver encounters an emergency braking situation, instead of the trailer fishtailing off to one side and pulling the vehicle into a dangerous drift, the Lippert ABS system helps the driver maintain control and assists in bringing the vehicle and trailer safely to a stop.

The Lippert trailer ABS system also is prepped to work with the company’s OneControl app, so it can be paired with the driver’s phone to monitor speed, status, and more. The system also operates independently from the vehicle’s brake controller. Whether the truck is outfitted with a factory or aftermarket brake controller, the new Lippert ABS will function to keep the trailer wheels from locking up, and the non-intrusive system also will not interfere with the controller’s gain settings.

While the Lippert ABS is not available for aftermarket installation at this time, it’s one more reason for current or potential RV owners to upgrade to a new model!

Described in a video as “still a little bit out there, a little bit of science fiction — but people are encouraged by seeing where we’re going,” Toyota Motor North America Research & Design (TMNA R&D) has been researching the possibilities of towing…albeit without a solid connection between tow vehicle and trailer.

It’s known as “hitchless towing” — and it appears to be a lot closer to reality than you might think.

According to Paul Ganson, senior manager of TMNA R&D Advanced Product Planning Office, hitchless towing is “a very interesting new concept that is a pair of vehicles where the rear vehicle acts somewhat like an autonomous vehicle, but it basically allows the two vehicles to play ‘follow the leader.’”

As Hanson explains in the video (youtube.com/watch?v=ajs57ELvPiM&t=38s), the lead vehicle would be driven by a human, and the follow vehicle would naturally follow behind as a trailer would — but there would be no physical connection between the two.

The idea for hitchless towing, added Jeff Makarewicz, TMNA R&D group vice president and executive advisor, came from a team member who submitted the idea through an innovation system Toyota calls Hype. “This idea was judged to be a key priority, so we were able to allocate the funding and resourcs to make it happen.”

In the past year, the concept has gone from “just an idea, done in simulation,” to an operational two-vehicle system. Still in its early stages, Toyota plans to take it to the next level — seeing how it performs in a highway situation — in the next year or two.

One of the most interesting aspects of RV ownership is taking a guided tour of a manufacturer’s assembly plant. These facilities are a swarm of activity — and visiting one can provide a lot of insight into the extremely involved manufacturing process of a product that is still, by and large, labor-intensive.

Unfortunately, the pandemic spelled a temporary end to these tours due to the demands of self-quarantine. However, as we learn how to cope with COVID and its variants, more manufacturers are again opening their doors to consumers. That said, not everyone can plug in a trip to their favorite RV brand’s plant. So, Airstream is bringing the process to you. In October, the iconic builder of what’s known as the “silver bullet” due to its polished aluminum luster released a video (see it here: youtube.com/watch?v=fS57jIaVJTc) wherein Airstream Vice President of Sales Justin Humphreys takes viewers on a tour of the company’s 750,000 square feet of manufacturing.

Building an Airstream, said Humphreys, is “a labor of love” — one that’s lasted for 90-plus years. The video isn’t nearly as long — about 12 minutes — and is well worth the time spent.

According to a Winnebago representative, the company developed these tools as part of its continuous effort to improve the online shopping experience. With these tools, consumers now have access to more information, helpful tips and other resources to make purchasing decisions easier and more convenient. Winnebago is said to be the first RV manufacturer to offer such robust online shopping tools, which include:

• The Dealer Selection tool is now featured on every model page so consumers can easily see the closest three dealers to their location.
• The Dealer Selection Tool displays more information, including dealer website links; dealer reviews; available retail and rental inventory; and even live inventory links. As consumers explore these links, they’ll see dealer-specific branding and pricing.
• The Digital Retail Tools Drawer allows consumers to receive an online estimate of the trade-in value of their existing vehicle, make an appointment and get a quote.
• The Shopping Concierge tool provides additional assistance by helping direct customers to their closest dealer. For more information, visit winnebago.com/insider.

According to a representative of SuperSprings International (SSI), SumoSprings for the RAM ProMaster is SSI’s No. 1-selling product — and for good reason. With the growth of van builds in recent years — especially on the ProMaster chassis — there has been a growing demand to create a better driving experience without having to sacrifice build quality and weight. The SumoSprings suspension upgrade has become the go-to solution because of the load-leveling capacity, ease of install and vibration reduction. Additionally, these components are maintenance-free, USA-made and come with a lifetime warranty.

And, in a strong nod to the vehicle’s popularity with van upfitters, the company released a video (a night shot, so you couldn’t really see what the van looks like…yet) captioned “On the road of van life, a few simple lessons can lead to many big adventures. Get ready for the new 2023 Ford Transit Trail. Coming Soon.

In November, Ford will introduce the new 2023 Transit Trail van, equipped with its new adventure-seeking capability alongside interior and exterior enhancements providing do-it-yourselfers and motorhome distributors a turnkey canvas direct from the factory. The Transit Trail will be available with 4WD. Scheduled for assembly at Ford’s Kansas City (Missouri) assembly plant, the Trail will be built right alongside Transit and E-Transit vans. We’ll provide more information as it develops.

Now, for the first time, they can attain the same increased performance that ABS provides on their 2023 Grand Design Solitude, Reflection or Momentum.

In vehicles and RVs, ABS helps decrease stopping distance in various conditions. It can also prevent sway caused by braking suddenly while towing an RV, giving customers increased steering control. Grand Design Recreational Vehicle Company announced in early October the launch of an anti-lock braking system (ABS) on select Grand Design RV models — a first in the North American RV Industry.

Currently, Grand Design’s Solitude, Reflection and Momentum are the only RVs on the market with ABS, according to the company. The new ABS package utilizes the CURT Axle Platform which features an upgraded suspension, forward self-adjusting brakes and greaseable wet bolts as well as upgraded, heavy-duty hardware. The ABS system with CURT axles has, said a company representative, been thoroughly tested in wet, icy and regular simulations, as well as in live icy conditions. All testing results have demonstrated increased braking performance for eligible RVs.

These brands/manufacturers received at least 15 dealer responses and scored 4.25 or above on a 5-point scale in overall dealer satisfaction in the association’s survey conducted June through September.

When rating their brands/manufacturers, RVDA asks dealers to express, confidentially, their level of satisfaction on four core issues:

• Reliability/quality
• Parts
• Warranty
• Sales

Towable RV manufacturers receiving awards are (in alphabetical order by manufacturer and, if applicable, cited brands):

• Airstream
• Alliance RV (Avenue, Paradigm, Valor)
• DRV (Mobile Suites, Full House)
• Dutchmen (Aspen Trail, Kodiak)
• East to West (Alta)
• Forest River (Flagstaff travel trailers and fifth wheels and Shamrock expandables; Rockwood travel trailers and fifth wheels and Roo expandables; Sandpiper; Sierra; Cedar Creek; Riverstone)
• Grand Design RV (Imagine, Momentum, Reflection, Solitude, Transcend)
• Gulf Stream Coach (Vintage Cruiser, Vista Cruiser)
• Jayco
• Keystone RV (Cougar, Montana, High Country, Raptor, Carbon)
• KZ RV (Durango, Durango Gold, Venom, V-Series); Starcraft; and Venture RV (SportTrek, Sonic, Status)

Motorized RV manufacturers/product categories receiving awards are (in alphabetical order):

• Airstream
• Dynamax
• Entegra
• Gulf Stream Coach
• Jayco
• Leisure Travel Vans/Triple E
• Newmar
• Pleasure-Way
• Winnebago (Class A’s, B’s and C’s).

Perhaps the most critical part of making an RV purchase is one that a lot of potential buyers don’t consider. Sure, they painstakingly research their options between a motorhome, fifth wheel and/or travel trailer. And, once that’s decided, they spent copious hours viewing floorplans and making a budget.

All too often, though, they zero in on a specific model at a specific price — and head off to buy it.

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They may not have spent the time to research their dealer, as well. Let’s face it: When you drag your home-away-from-home across untold miles of suspect roads, things have a tendency to shake loose and even break — and how your dealer treats you after the sale is at least as important as when it rolls out the red carpet to welcome you.

The question remains, though: How can you choose a good dealership? Word-of-mouth recommendations from friends are great, but their dealer may not carry the brand and/or model you’ve selected — and a smart buyer will take anything read on social media sites with the proverbial grain of salt. Fortunately, RVBusiness — the nation’s premier RV trade publication — has, for the past 11 years, named its Top 50 Dealer Awards, a program that goes a long way to helping consumers identify the nation’s best-run retailers.

The program, which begins with dealer recommendations made by the manufacturers of products each carries, requires each dealer to respond to an extensive application. Each application is then rigorously reviewed by a panel of 12 independent RV industry experts brought together by RVBusiness and marketing firm BJ Thompson Associates (BJTA), which together oversee the bar-raising Top 50 program. The two-day process reviews the dealerships on everything from the number of service technicians on-site to customer service and even programs the dealer implements as a “good neighbor” at their locations.

Note, too, that select dealerships have an asterisk (*) following their name. This denotes those five retailers (known as Blue Ribbon dealers) deemed worthy of special recognition for having gone the extra mile in exemplifying “best practices” in areas such as customer care, service, staff training, marketing and community service.

The RVBusiness Top 50 Dealer Award-winners for 2022 are (in alphabetical order):

• Mount Comfort RV, Greenfield, Ind.
• Pan Pacific RV Centers, French Camp, Calif.
• PleasureLand RV Center, St. Cloud, Minn.
• Princess Craft, Round Rock, Texas
• Rangeland RV & Trailer Sales, Rockyview, Alta.
• RCD RV Supercenter, Heath, Ohio
• Rich & Sons RV Headquarters, Grand Island, Neb.
• Ron Hoover RV & Marine Centers, Rockport, Texas
• Sicard RV, Smithville, Ont.
• Steinbring Motorcoach, Fridley, Minn.
• Travelcamp RV, Jacksonville, Fla.
• Veurink’s RV Center, Grand Rapids, Mich.
• Voyager RV Centre, Winfield, B.C. (*)
• Walnut Ridge Family RV Sales, New Castle, Ind.
• Wilkins RV, Bath, N.Y.
• Woody’s RV World, Calgary, Alta.

Growing a successful business is never easy. In the case of WAY, a product distributor to both the RV manufacturing industry and the aftermarket, it meant opening up a number of separate facilities in and around Elkhart, Indiana — a situation that spoke well of the company’s prowess, but made things tough logistically.

That’s now changed. WAY recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of the company’s newest facility — a whopping 800,000-square-foot location that will house the company’s corporate headquarters, warehouse operations, a 6,000-square-foot showroom and a product testing and development center.

It’s difficult to put into context just how big WAY’s new headquarters is, but consider this: Almost 14 football fields would fit under its roof. It takes a full five minutes to ride a scooter around the perimeter. A drone needs to climb 1,000 feet just to be able to take a photo of the entire facility.

Chris Greer, WAY’s vice president of operations and product development, said the company is in the process of consolidating its 6,000-plus SKUs from its five warehouse locations in northern Indiana and southwest Michigan, totaling a combined 400,000 square feet, into the new 800,000-square-foot building — and it will take 1,500 semi-tractor loads to do so.

Owning an RV is a significant expense, one that many owners mitigate by renting their rigs out. Renting, though, is not without its drawbacks; owners are essentially left in the dark about how their valued possession is being treated until its return.

Now Zubie — a leading connected vehicle and telematics provider — has collaborated with Outdoorsy, one of the largest players in the online peer-to-peer RV and campervan rental marketplace, to enable RV owners the ability to track the location, driving speed and maintenance status of their assets while being rented by the burgeoning population of outdoor travelers.

RV owners who list their RV on Outdoorsy will have access to Zubie’s intuitive tracking devices, including Asset Track, a multi-unit tracking system for vehicle owners wanting a more unified alternative to a straightforward GPS tracking solution. The system, said Zubie’s Chief Revenue Officer, Mark Novak, provides “improved visibility into the safe and smooth operation of these drivable and towable vehicles,” giving owners peace of mind that their investment is being rented and used as it should.

For more details on the Zubie integration, or to see how much you could be earning on Outdoorsy, visit outdoorsy.com/gps.